Will live gaming become a major sporting event - both in real life and as broadcasts - in the next five years?

RICHARD LAST DIRECTOR OF SPORT SKY

Yes, I believe so.

About a year ago, I started to read the Bleacher Report articles around esports. It was obviously growing, had a huge audience and big money was starting to flow in terms of sponsorship and live events.

Many of the opportunities offered by esports are online and international in their scope. However, as the number of people enjoying gaming continues to grow, it is starting to pull in a more mainstream audience. With local content being produced for Sky by Let’s Play Live here in New Zealand and our international partners such as FIFA and F1 running their own esports competitions, the sport will only continue to grow online and on Sky Sport.

At the end of the day, Kiwis still like to watch themselves compete no matter what the activity – rugby, dancing, cooking and now… esports.